JUBILEE leaders want Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga arrested for asking Cord colleagues to remove President Uhuru Kenyatta’s official portraits from their offices.
On Saturday in Bondo,
Rasanga urged Cord governors to replace them with portraits
of ODM leader
Raila Odinga.
“If he (Rasanga) wants the portrait of Raila, he can put as many as a thousand in his house, on his bed and sleep on them or even worship them,” National Assembly majority leader Aden Duale said.
Baying for Rasanga’s blood are JAP national vice chairperson David Murathe, deputy secretary Caleb Kositany and Jubilee activist George Ayugi.
“The Siaya governor must know that only the portrait of the President can be put in a public place,” Duale said.
He termed the governor’s statement “reckless and amounting to hate speech”.
Murathe yesterday said Rasanga should be charged with treason.
“His statement is an attempt to overthrow a legitimately elected President,” Murathe told the Star on the phone.
He said it is illegal for any Kenyan to demand removal of President Uhuru’s portrait from a public office.
“This reckless talk must not be tolerated. Action must be taken against any leader and individual who disrespects the presidency,”
Murathe said.
Kositany said Rasanga can say what he wants, but Uhuru remains the elected head of state.
“The governor stooped too low to call for removal of the President’s portraits. There are pressing development issues affecting Siaya that he ought to have addressed,” he said.
Ayugi said: “Respecting the presidency is not a favour any Kenyan is doing to Uhuru, it is the law.”
“Respecting the presidency is not a favour any Kenyan is doing to Uhuru, it is the law," he said.
URP youth league Vice President Victor Ayugi cautioned leaders against making derogatory and “reckless” statements.
“The law must take its course,” he said.
He faulted Cord leader Raila for failure to condemn Rasanga’s sentiments that he made in Bondo on Saturday.
During a joint memorial service of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and Fidel Odinga at Jaramogi University grounds in Bondo on Saturday, Rasanga asked all Cord governors to eject President Uhuru’s
portraits from their offices and replace them with Raila’s.
Rasanga pointed out that all the 24 Governors should show honour to Cord leadership and hang Raila's portrait.
He said that it only takes a courageous man to do that.
“You remember it is only me of all the Governors in the Country who declared a public holiday when we launched our Okoa Kenya drive. The matter went to the Senate and Orengo (Siaya Senator) defended it as lawful,” he said.
